Cable grip



E. E. KELLEMS Oct. l5,y 1935.

CABLE GRIP Filed Nov. 20, 1935 2 sheets-sheet 1 /n VEN ron: K y few .BY MMZJWU fran.- Evs Wir/ves;

Oct. 15, 1935,

Wi Tlv/Ess E. E. KELLEMs CABLE GRIP Filed Nov. 20, 1933 `r f v 2 Sheets-Sheet 2y -Patented Get. 15?, 15935 CABLE GRIP Edgar E. Kellems, New

York, N. Y., assigner to KellemsProducts, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application November 20, 1933, Serial No. 698,856

13 Claims.

This invention relates to a Woven wire grip device in which crossing portions of the strands are relatively movable to permit lateral expansion through endwise compression or lateral compression through endwise extension so that when compressed endwise the woven fabric may be readily paced over'and upon a cable or other object or the object may be drawn freely endwise therethrough from the receiving end toward the draft, end with the assurance that when the endwise compression is relieved the device will automatically grip the surface of the object, particularly when extended endwise by force applied to either end or both ends of the woven fabric.

Devices of this character are particularly useful for drawing electric conductors or cables through underground conduits or along overhead supports but- I have found similar devices may be used with equal efficiency for a large variety of other purposes through slight modifications of one or both ends of the woven wire fabric according to the use to which it is to be put and the main object of the present invention is to enable grips of this type to be adapted to a wide variety of uses without materially altering the process of weaving.

The gripping portions of devices of this character are usually woven in tubular form around and-upon a suitable mandrel and one of the specific objects of the present invention is to divide the draft ends of the strands of the tubular fabric into one or more pairs of branches and to unite the outer ends of each pair of branches in such manner as to form U-shaped draft ends or heads and thereby to distribute the tensile strains upon the strands more evenly throughout the area of the woven wire tube than would be possible with the usual construction of draft eye in which the draft ends of the strands are bunched and bound together to form the draft eye.

Another specific object is to extend the strands of both branches of each pair laround the U in overlapping relation and to bind the overlapping portions to each other by extra binding metal for firmly securing both 'branches to each other and thereby to not only strengthen the U-shapcd end or draft head but also to further assure a more even distribution of the tensile stresses upon the strands of the woven wire tube and at the same time to secure a more uniform compression of allof the strands of the tube upon the work than has heretofore been practiced.

Another object is to reinforce the connected branches of each pair with a U-shaped metal casing or ferrule to prevent direct contact of the draft device or anchorage with the adjacent portions of the strands and thereby to prolong the life of the draft head and strands.

A further object is to divide the strands of the cable-receiving end of the woven wire tube into two or more branches and to arrange each branch in the form of a loop for attachment to the anchorages or to 'the draft heads of other gripping devices if desired.

Other objects and uses relating to specific parts ofthe device will be brought out in the following description.

In the drawingsz- Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly broken away, of a tubular gripping device in which the strands of the draft end qf the woven wire tube 15, are divided into two branches having the strands of each branch returned along those of the other branch to form a U-shaped end'which is reinforced bya U-shaped-.metal sleeve or ferrule, the portions of the strands of each branch adjacent the grip being bound together by-extra metal ferrules.

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view-taken along line 2 2, `Figure 1, showing the overlapping portions of the strands at the return bends and their enclosing tube straightened.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken .in line 3-'-3, Figure 1, showing the manner of binding the ends of theistrands to the adja' cent branches.

Figure 4 is a side elevation, partly broken away, showing a modified form of U-shaped draft end formed by the return bends of the ends of bothbranches together with suitable ferrules for binding the ends of the strands to adjacent branches.

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail sectional view taken on line 5 5, Figure 4, showing the means for binding -the overlapping ends of the strands of one branch upon the strands of the vother branch.

Figure 6 is a side elevation, partly broken away, showing a longitudinally divided woven wire tube having its strands at oneend divided and returned and the returned portions encased in a metal casing of binding wire or equivalent material; cer-tain strands of the woven wire tube being extended and used for lacing the longitudinal edges of the tube together.

Figure '7 is a face view, partly broken away, of 50 adat woven -wire fabric adapted to be bent in the form of a tube to bring its oposite longitudinal edges together, the draft ends of the fabric being divided to form two pairs of branches in which those of each pair are returned' to form draft Us 55 veo and reinforced by a. metal casing of wire or equivalent material, certain wires at the end of the fabric being shown for use in lacing the longitudinal edges of the fabric to each other.

Figure 8 is a side elevation, partly broken away, of a further modified form of my invention showing a single U-shaped draft head at one end and its opposite end divided into branches and it branches formed into loops.

Figure 9' is a further modified form of my inven- -tion showing a pair` of U-sh d draft heads at one end and a plurality of, in this instance four, loops at its opposite ends formed by branches of the strands.

In all of the several modifications of my invention, the strands forming the gripping device per se are woven to forman open mesh tube in which the crossing portions of the strands are relatively movable to permit free radial expansion through endwise compression of the tube and also to cause radial 'compression of the strands upon the work through endwise extension of the tube.

It is to be understood that these tubes will be made in' different standard sizes as to diameter and length according to the size or nature of the object to be supported or drawn endwise and that the diameter of each standard size will be slightly less than that of the object upon which it is to be placed to assure automatic compression of the strands upon the work when the woven wire tube is drawn endwise fromthe draf-tend thereof.

The grip shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 is adapted to be used more particularly for permanent installation of telephone and electric lighting cables extending from the pole to the house where the service is to be given, but'obviously may be used for 4drawing cables vthrough underground conduits or along overhead supports and for any other purpose to which it may be applied and comprises a woven wire tube I having the strands at its cable-receiving end continuous to form loops a similar to that shown and described in my Patent No. 1,670,543, May 22nd, 1928, the strands at the opposite or draft end of the tube being divided to form a pair of branches 2, each containing a like number of strands arranged in transversely spaced relation to permit the cable or other object to pass from the receiving end between the branches and beyond the corresponding end of .ferrules 3 which are tightly compressed upon the` strands to firmly hold them in relatively small compact space near their junctions with the woven wire tube I.

These branches are preferably extended a considerable distance beyond the ferrules 3 and the strands of each branch are preferably twisted upon each other into rope form, the outer ends of the strands of each branch being inserted in opposite ends of a metal tube 4, preferably from end to end thereof so that the end ofthe strands of one branch may overlap upon those of the other branch, the metal tube being then tightly compressed upon the overlapping ends of the strands and bent into reshaped form, thereby forming a U-shaped draft end or head 4 which serves to hold the ends `of the branches in fixed overlapping relation.

drawn endwise or supported upon any suitable anchorage.

Under this construction it will be evident that the tensile strains upon the several strands of the tube I will be evenly distributed throughout the 5 area of thetube and that when the later is placed over and upon a cable or other object and extended endwise, the strands of 'the tube will be firmly compressed against the periphery of said 'n object throughout the length of the tube, there- 10 by assuring amore positive and reliable grip upon the object than would be possible if all of the strands at the draft end of the tube were hunched together and attached in that form to the usual draft eye. l5

Furthermore, the U-shapedloop or draft head 4 serves to hold the branches 2 in substantially parallel spaced relation and also to hold the overlapping en'ds of the strands rof both branches in fixed relation and to firmly bind them together by the compression of the tubular member 4 thereon, the dead-ending of the strands of both branches within the member 4 being clearly shown in Figure 2.

In the modified construction shown in Figures 4 and 5, the ends of the strands at 'the draft end of the woven wire tube I'are also divided into opposite branches 2, the ends of the strands of each branch being preferably twisted into rope form for reinforcing purposes and extended some distance outwardly beyond the tube I and returned along the other branch to form a U- shaped loop or draft head 4'.

The extreme ends of the strands of each branch, therefore, overlap upon the adjacent portions of .the strands of the other branch and are rmly clamped thereto by metal ferrules 3' similar to those previously described, cach ferrule being firmly compressed upon the enclosed portions of the strands to hold them against relative lateral or endwise movement.

In other words, the ends of the strands of each branch are dead-ended in the tubular ferrules 3 of the other branch, the dead-ending of the strands in said ferrules being shown more clearly in Figure 5.

It will now be seen that the U.shaped end or head 4 of the construction shown in Figures 4 and 5 serves a purpose similar to the U-shaped head 4, Figure 1, in that the strains upon the strands of the tubular member I incidental to the drawing of the tube with the cable or other object therein endwise is distributed over practically the entire area c.' the Woven Wire tube and causes said strands to be compressed firmly against the periphery of the object throughout the length of the tube.

The U-shaped head 4, which is preferably made of copper, serves to hold the enclosed portions of the strands of both branches in fixed relation,

tubular form to constitute what may be termed a split tube adapted to be wrapped around and upon the intermediate portion of a cable or other object when it is impracticable to place the same endwise ov'er and upon the end of said object.

In this construction, the ends of the strands at the draft' end of the-body I I are extended and divided into separate branches I2 having an equal number of strands in each branch, the outer ends of the branches being continuous and bent into the form of a looppwhich is encased in a U-shaped tubular metalhead I3 consisting in this instance of wires wound firmly around and upon the branches for reinforcing purposes somewhat similar to that shown in Figure l.

,One of the wires as I4 of each branch. after being enclosed in the tubular casing I3, is left free and is extended toward the opposite ends of the fabric body II and is interlacedwith the strands along the opposite edges of said body to firmly hold said edges together and thereby to maintain thetubular form of the fabric after the latter has been wrapped around the object, the distal ends of the extension wires I8 being preferably Atwisted together to hold them against dist alent relatively short ferrules I5 which are -rrnly compressed thereon to hold the strands of each pair in fixed relation and also to holdthe several pairs of strands in spaced relation circumferentially so that the woven wire tube may be readily placed over and upon the object to be supported or moved. v

Figure 7 is a face view of a woven wire fabric for forming 'a longitudinally divided tube similar to that shown in Figure 6 except that the strands of the fabric are extended and divided into two pairs of branches I2, the branches of each par forming a U-shapeddraft end encased in a corresponding U-shaped metal tube I3 similar to that shown in Figure 6.

That is, the strands of the branches of each pair are extended continuously around the loop within its casing I3 to overlap upon the strands of the o! her branch of the same pair so that the overlapping portions of the loop may be bound together by the tubular casing I3 to hold them in fixed relation to each other and to the casing and thereby to reinforce the strands of each loop.

In this construction, like that shown in Figure 6, one of the wires or strands entering one end of each of the loops I3 at the corresponding longitudinal edge of the fabric is left free and is extended to form a lacing wire I4 so that .when the fabric is wrapped around the object to be moved or supported the wires I6 may be interlaced with the strands adjacent the longitudinal edges of the fabric and then twisted .together at the ends as shown in Figure 6 to holdthe lacing strands in operative position.

In the construction shown in Figure 7, the same is composed of five strands, one of which forms the lacing wire IA- but aside from this lacing wire the strands of each branch lI2 are divided into pairs and each pair is firmly bound together by a ferrule I6 between the loop I3 and the portion of the fabric body I to assist in distributing the tensile strains upon the strandsv of the tube and also to hold the strands of each pair in fixed relation to each other when the fabric is wrapped around the object to be carried.

The ends of the strands at the receiving end of the fabric are also bound together in pairs -by. tubular metal ferrulesl I5 similar to those shown in Figure 6.

The construction shown in Figure 8 comprises a woven wire tubular tube I in which the strands at the draft end thereof are extended suddivid- 3 ed into two branches I2, those of,y each branch being returned in overlapping relation to those of the other branch to. form a U-shaped draft the draft end to form separate loops I9 in whichA the ends of the strands of each branch overlap upon the remaining strands of the samefbranch and are firmly bound together by metal ferrules each consisting in this instance of a wire wound tightly around the overlapping portions a of the strands to flrmlyhold the enclosed portions of the srands against relative endwise or lateral movement and thereby to hold the opposite portions of each loop in fixed relation.

It is now clear that one end of the woven wire gripping tube I is provided with a U-shaped draft end and that the other end is provided with two loops, the advantage of which is that it provides a plurality of points of suspension for supporting the cables horizontally vor vertically, the loops I9 serving to hold the cable at different points so that if the object engaged by the grip should tend to slip back while being drawn or supported by the draft head I3, at least one of the loops I9 would hold the grip tightly upon the object.

The construction shown in Figure 9 comprises a woven wire tube grip I having the strands'at its draft end extended and divided into separate pairs of branches 22, the branches of each pair being extended continuouslyl through a U-shaped tubular .sleeve or head I3.

The ends of the strands, after being interwoven to form the open mesh tube I, are divided into separa*e branches 24 each containing a plurality of, in this instance two, strands bound together by a tubular metal ferrule 25.

These. strands extend some distance beyond their resepctive ferrules`25 to form loops 28, 26', and 21 and 2l' of different lengths.

iEach of the loops 26 and 26' includes two of the branches 24 .and havetheir extreme ends inserted in opposite ends of tubular coupling members 28 and 28' which arepreferably made of cop-- which serve to support vertical cables perma- 55 neatly where it is not possible to get support on both sides of the cable at the same point.

The several modiications of gripping devices shown and described are adaptable for a wide range ofuses in which the U-shaped end -or ends at the draft ends of the Awire tube are important features in that they serve to distribute the tensile strains upon the strands throughout the area of the woven wire tube and afford a more posi-- tive and firmer grip uponthe cable or other ob'- which form the gripping tube but are reinforced by their overlapping relation one upon the .other on both sides of the branches.

Other modifications may be included within the scope of the invention and, therefore, I do 'not wish to limit myself to the exact construction shown and described.

What I claim is: Y

1. A gripping device of the character described comprising a plurality of wire strands interwoven to form an open mesh tube having its strands at one end grouped into separate branches, each branch being returned upon the otherbranch to form an open loop including both branches, and a U-shaped sleeve embracing the overlapping ends of both branches and maintaining the remaining portions thereof in spaced relationf 2. A gripping device of the character described comprising a plurality of wire strands interwoven to form a tubular grip open at one end and having its strands at the opposite end divided to form branches -which are returned one upon the other to forman open loop, a tubular U-fshaped sleeve Vembracing the overlapping endsvof the branches,

. and a tubular metal ferrule embracingr each branch adjacent the tubular grip and tightly com-` pressed thereon, the distance between the opposite ends-of the sleeve andthe distance between the ferrules being approximately equal to the diameter of the tubular grip. l

v3. In a gripping device of the character described, a plurality of wire strands interwoven to form an open mesh tube having the strands at one end divided to form branches, the ends of said branches being returned one upon the other in overlapping relation to form a loop, a U-shaped sleeve embracing the overlapping ends of the branches and tubular metal ferrules, each embracing one of the branches adjacent the tubular y grip.

4. In a gripping deviceof the character described, a plurality of wire strands interwoven to forman open mesh tubular grip, the strands at one end of the grip being divided to form branches, the strands of each branch being returned along the strands of the other branch to form a loop, and tubular ferrules embracing the strands of both branches adjacent the tubular 'grip and spaced apart diametrically a distance approximately equal to the diameter of said grip.

5. In a gripping device of the character described, a plurality of wire strands interwoven to form an open mesh tubular grip, the strands at one end of the grip being divided to form branches, the strands of each branch being returned along vthe strands of the other branch to form an open a,o17,aa

responding branch between the open side of the loop and tubular grip.

'7. In a gripping device of the character described, a plurality of wire strands interwoven to form an open mesh fabric adapted to be 5 wrapped around and upon the object to be supported or moved, certain strands of the fabric beingleft free and adapted'to be interlacedwith the strands along opposite edges of the fabric to y 'bind the fabric around and upon the object. 10

8. In a gripping device of the character described, a plurality of wire strands interwoven toJ fl form an open mesh fabric, the strands at one end of the fabric being divided to form branches, and

a UY-shaped sleeve connecting said branches, cer- 15 tain wires of the branches being left free and adapted to be interlaced with. the strands along l opposite edges of the fabric to draw the same together around the object to be gripped.

9. In a gripping device of the character. de- 2o scribed, a plurality of wire strands interwoven to form an open mesh tubular body having draft and receiving ends and having the strands at both f ends of 'the body divided into branches, the,4 strands of said branches being extended substantially beyond the respective ends of the body and bent into the form of loops, the loops at the receiving end being capable of receiving an object to be supported.

10. In a.l gripping device of the character described, an open mesh woven wire tube having extension strands at one end divided into groups, the strands of each group being returned upon those of the other group andsecured thereto to form a loop having its ends spaced apart a distance approximately equal to the diameter ofthe woven wire tube for equal distribution of tensile strains along diametrically opposite sides of the tube.

11. In a gripping ldevice of the character de- 40 scribed, an open mesh wovenwire tube having extension strands at one end divided into groups, the strandsof each group being returned upon those of the other group and secured thereto to form a loop, and a U -shaped sleeve tightly embracing the returned portion of the loop and having its ends spaced apart a distance approximately equal toI the diameter of the woven wire tube.

12. In a gripping device of the character described, an open mesh woven wire tube having 5o extension strands at one end divided into groups. the strands of each group being returned upon those of the other group and secured thereto to form an open loop, and separate ferrules each tightly embracing the strands ofone of the groups between the open end of the loop and wpven wire tube, said ferrules being spaced aparta distance approximately equal to the diameter of the -woven wire tube.

13. In a gripping device of the character described, a plurality of wire strands interwoven to form an open mesh body portion adapted to be placed in surrounding gripping relation with a tubular member, said body portion having extension strands at one end thereof divided into 6d groups, the strands of each group being returned upon those of the other group and secured thereto to form a draft loop, said loop having the portions adjacent the body portion extending therefrom in spaced substantially parallel relation for equalizing vthe tensile strains upon the several strandsjof the device. 

